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2014 NSCA ELECTION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS — EDUCATIONAL/INSTITUTIONAL
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING PROFESSIONAL
PATRICK MCHENRY, MA, CSCS,*D, RSCC
EDUCATION
• 1993 — Master of Arts
in Physical Education
with an Emphasis in Kinesiology
University of Northern Colorado
• 1988 — Bachelor of Arts
in Elementary Education
Doan College
NSCA INVOLVEMENT
• Coaches Committee member
(2010 – present)
• Conference Committee member
(2009 – present)
• High School Special Interest Group
chairman (2008 – 2012)
• State Director of Colorado
(2003 – 2005)
• Education Committee
(1996 – 2000)
VISION STATEMENT OUTLINING
THE CRITICAL AND/OR
SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES FACING
THE NSCA, SPECIFIC GOALS FOR
THE NSCA, AND AN INDICATION
OF HOW SUCH GOALS MAY BE
ACHIEVED
The NSCA is at a professional crossroads
right now: are we the organization that is
the leader in strength and conditioning
or just one of many groups who certify
coaches. The National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) had a vote in January
to decide if Division I and Division II
collegiate coaches “need to be certified
in their field.” The Inter-Association Task
Force published two papers last year, one
for colleges and one for secondary school
athletics. Both papers had input from the
NSCA so the wording included “qualified
coach or credentialed strength and
conditioning coach.”
Now is the time for the NSCA to step
forward and make a push to get our
profession elevated to the level that
requires coaches to be Certified Strength
and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®)
to work in colleges, high schools, and
educational institutions. The NSCA set the
mark with Major League Baseball (MLB) by
requiring coaches to become Registered
Strength and Conditioning Coaches (RSCC)
and this standard needs to be for other
areas as well.
In order for the NSCA to get the CSCS to
be on the same level as ATC is for Athletic
Trainers, PT is for Physical Therapist and
licensing is for teachers we need to be in
the public eye. It is essential for the NSCA
to have its members speaking at a wide
variety of conferences, not just our own, as
well as writing for trade journals, scientific
journals, and other publications. By going
to other conferences and publishing in a
wide variety of periodicals, the NSCA will
be the “go to” organization any time there
is a question about training.
groups, and federations that are vital to
the sports industry. We must open lines of
communication, trade speakers, and furnish
information about training.
The first step in this process has taken
place. Last year the Coaching Coalition
accepted the NSCA to be a member of its
group. The Coaching Coalition consists
of the Olympic Training Center (OTC),
National Federation of High School
Coaches (NFHS), National Association of
Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).
Each year they hold a conference that
includes representative from the National
Governing Bodies (NGB), speakers from all
over the world, and the top coaches from
the United States. NSCA Members will be
speaking at this conference. Working with
these groups will establish the foundation
for the NSCA to build its reputation as the
leader in the strength and conditioning
field.
The NSCA has the connections in place to
make this happen. I would like to be the
board member who sees it through.
The NSCA has some of the top scientific
researchers, coaches, and trainers in
the world as its members. This needs
to be known by everyone, not just
our organization. Currently, there are
groups and organizations that are great
at publicizing their methods and/or
certifications; however, they do not have
the scientific resources that are available
within the NSCA.
With the NSCA’s wealth of knowledge
and resources our certification should be
required by collegiate and professional
teams and all educational institutions.
To get our name out there, the NSCA,
its members, the National Headquarters,
and its Board Members must step up
and be vocal. The NSCA must recognize
the coaches associations, educational
NSCA BULLETIN | ISSUE 36.05
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